sperm; spermatozoon
Biological term for a male reproductive cell. Used in medical, scientific, and everyday contexts.
精子は卵子と受精して新しい命が始まる。
Sperm fertilizes an egg and new life begins.
He donated sperm for fertility treatment.
彼は精子提供について調べている。
He is looking into sperm donation.
Fertilization occurs when sperm unites with an egg.
I had a test done to check my sperm count.
精子 refers to the individual sperm cells, whereas 精液 is the seminal fluid that carries and transports them.
From 精 (sei, 'essence' or 'spirit') and 子 (shi, 'child' or 'small thing'), referring to the male reproductive cell. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the kanji are conventionally associated with the meaning.